Landry, J. Narcisse, St. Michael, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1863 April 20

Pained by the news that their pastor received last Friday, their first thought was to send Odin a delegation. They informed Father Eleazar Vignonnet of their intentions and he sought to divert them. Not being able to be among the delegates, Landry believed that as an old pupil, Odin would pardon the liberty he takes on a subject as delicate as the intervention of a layman in ecclesiastical matters. Landry joins with Mr. Damaré, Mr. Jacob, Mr. Amand, and Jean Pierre Bourgeois in interceding with Odin to leave them their pastor. Vignonnet is the priest who has done the most good in the parish; the Jesuits have served it at various times but always with many disagreements; several secular priests have been there but they were no more fortunate than their predecessors. Father Stephen Rousselon can assure Odin of the truth of this. The inhabitants of St. Michael's have a strong antipathy for religious bodies and he wonders if these views could augur a tranquil future for the Marists, whom Odin has destined to replace Vignonet. If the Religious of the Sacred Heart can be directed only by religious, although they have been for 10 years by secular priests, they have the means to provide the upkeep. If Vignonet is obliged to leave now, he will lose enormously without profit to anyone, even his successors. As Odin knows, Vignonet has several slaves and he rents others. :: VI-2-g A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.